Coffee lovers have a new reason to celebrate: women who drink coffee in midlife may age more healthily and experience long-term health benefits, researchers say.
The study, led by researchers at the University of Toronto, followed more than 47,000 female nurses under the age of 60 over three decades. The study found that all the women who aged healthily drank a cup of coffee each day. Healthy ageing is defined as living to at least 70 without major chronic diseases and maintaining excellent physical and cognitive health.
“Women who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day in their 50s were more likely to reach older age free from major chronic diseases and with good cognitive, physical, and mental health,” said lead study author Dr Sara Mahdavi, adjunct professor in the faculty of medicine and department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto.
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They found that participants, on average, reported drinking about 315 milligrams of caffeine daily (roughly three small cups of coffee). Each additional cup per day was linked to a 2-5% higher likelihood of healthy ageing, up to five cups.
The study found no significant health benefits tied to decaf coffee or tea. Soda consumption, on the other hand, was associated with a 20–26% lower likelihood of healthy ageing.
“Coffee may support longevity, but it’s not a universal prescription — especially for women. Hormonal shifts influence how caffeine is metabolised, so the benefits depend on timing, biology, and individual health,” Dr Mahdavi said in an email, CNN reported.
Earlier research has linked coffee consumption to lower risks of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
